Pocketbase
PocketBase is an open-source, single-binary backend combining an embedded SQLite database, realtime subscriptions, authentication, file storage, a REST-style API, and an admin UI. One sentence value: it lets small teams and makers ship full backends quickly with a portable single executable that simplifies deployment and backups.
It is aimed at makers, individuals, and small product teams building prototypes, internal tools, or low-traffic apps that need fast delivery, realtime UI, and control over data location. It removes boilerplate for auth, CRUD APIs, uploads, and gives a simple admin dashboard for non-developers.
Use Cases
- Personal media or inventory manager with user logins and uploads
- Home automation dashboard showing realtime device state changes
- Quick personal dashboards, habit trackers, or shared lists
- Offline-first hobby apps using a single portable binary
- Internal tools like employee directories and incident forms
- Proofs-of-concept to validate flows before larger backend investment
Strengths
- Embedded SQLite creates a portable single-file data store
- Realtime subscriptions enable live UIs and collaborative features
- Built-in auth and OAuth providers speed user-flow delivery
- File storage serves media without external object storage services
- Admin web UI lets non-developers manage data and users
- Official SDKs and REST API simplify frontend integration
- Self-hosting (Coolify trivial) preserves data locality and operational control
Limitations
- Uses embedded SQLite only; no native Postgres or MySQL backends
- Single-process vertical scaling; not designed for easy horizontal sharding
- Advanced server logic often requires Go or external services
- Active development can introduce breaking changes; keep backups
- Moderate API/data-model lock-in despite self-hosted storage control
- Performance and concurrency limits vary; run your own benchmarks
Final Thoughts
Try PocketBase now if you need a fast prototype, internal tool, or a single-server backend with strict data locality. Wait if you need multi-region scale, advanced SQL features, or production-grade SLAs.
A managed cloud or hosted alternative makes sense when you require multi-region scale, high concurrency, or enterprise SLAs; hosted options add horizontal scaling, serverless functions, and operational guarantees.